The effects of pre- and post-natal sunlight exposure on human growth: evidence from the Southern Hemisphere

Several recent studies have reported a causal association between stature a nd month of birth. Perinatal exposure to sunlight has been suggested as the principal factor underlying this relationship, although the mechanisms inv olved remain a matter of debate. The longitudinal design of the present stu dy allowed us: to directly test the influence of perinatal sunlight exposur e (and other meteorological and behavioural factors) on body size at birth and at regular intervals up to age 26. The findings confirmed that pre-nata l sunlight is one of the most significant determinants of height. However, the trimester of greatest influence differs depending on the age at which s tudy members were measured. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All righ ts reserved.